Renewable electric fuse



Dec. 28 1926.

J. C. BOGLE RENEWABLE ELECTRIC FUSE Filed Dec l, 1922 3 lllAl llPatented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. BUGLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR '30 C091: ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. CC-RPORATIQN ILLINOIS.

RENEWABLE ELECTRIC FUSE.

A licatien filed December 1 1922.

My invention relates to electric fuses and it has special reference tofuses that are known as enclosed renewable fuses.

More particularly my invention relates to an in'iproved electric fuseprovided with an insulating chamber having conducting terninals at endsand a novel type of fuse link extending through the insulating chamherand contacting at each end with the terminals. I have shown theterminals to be of a type suitable for clamping the ends of the fuselinl in place and also adapted in turn to be clamped by the usual typeof fuse clips.

An object of my invention is to provide a fuse link for the above typeof fuse which can be readily inserted in place and yet which does notrequire the use of washers for retaining its ends in contact with thefuse ter minals.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the typeindicated. above, which is simple in construction, easily assembled, anddependable in operation.

Further objects of my invention will appear upon reference to thefollowing specification and. accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure 1is a view in section of an enclosed renewable fuse structure constructedin accordance with my invention and shown in a partially assembledcondition;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the fuse fullyassembled;

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the fuse link; and,

Fig. l is a detail perspective view showing a ferrule member.

Referring to Fig. 1, a container 1 formed of insulating material isshown enclosing a special type of link 2. The container 1 is provided ateach end with ferrules 3 and 4, which are in turn provided with threadedportions 5 and 6 for engaging cap members 7 and 8, respectively.

The particular type of cap members 7 and 8 shown, forin no part of mypresent invention and. they are similar in construction to those shownand described in my copending application, Serial No. 385,427, filedJune 1, 1920, which has matured into Patent No. 1,443,865, grantedJanuary 30th, 1922. The cap members 7 and 8 are provided with centrallypositioned tortuous passages 9 and 10 Serial No. 604,159.

respectively, for the escape of gases formed when the fuse link isburned out.

The fuse link comprises a centrally positioned fusible element- 11,which may be formed of a ribbon of easily fusible metal, such as zinc,and of a cross section depending upon the current to be carried by thefuse. The fusible element 11 is attached at each end to supporting andconnecting terminals 12 and 13, which. serve to supportthe fusibleelement 11 rigidly in its proper central location and also serve toconnect the fusible element in circuit without interposing anyunnecessary resistance.

The connecting terminals 12 and 13 are pro vided with enlarged endsshaped in the form of flat washer portions 14: and 15 respectively.However, the end portion 14; is preferably initially formed in thedistorted shape shown in Fig. 1 in order that it may be readily insertedthrough the shell 1 and the ferrules 3 and 4, when assembling the deviceor when renewing the fusible element. The washer portions 142 and 15 maybe provided with the. centrally located openings 16 and 1'?respectively, coaxial with passages 9 and 10 in cap members 7 and 8. Theferrules 3 and 4 may be provided respectively with inturned flanges orrims 18 and 19 against which the faces of washers 14L and 15 may beclamped. If desired, the inner surfaces of the washers 1 1 and 15 may beslightly roughened as at 20 in Fig. 3, and also the outer surfaces offlanges 18 and 19 may be roughened as at 21 in Fig. 4. These roughenedareas will serve to prevent relative turning movement of the linkterminals and ferrules when the device is being assembled.

In the assembly of the device, the fuse link member 2 is placed in thecontainer 1 by first inserting the washer portion 14;, when in itsdistorted form. The washer portion 15 is then brought up against theflange 19 of ferrule 4 and securely clamped in place by the cap member8. The washer portion 14 being formed of comparatively flexiblematerial, may then be easily bent to a flattened shape approximatingthat shown in Fig. 3. The cap member 7 may then be screwed in place andwill force the portion 1a into its fully flattened shape shown in Fig.3.

then the fuse is fully assembled, it will be noted that the washerportions 1 1- and 15 will have a large surface area in Contact with muchmore quickly assembled in case of an emergency.

The two ferrules 3 and l as shown are constructed alike and hence thelink 2 may be inserted from either end and the link ends may beinterchangeably associated with either of the fuse ends. Suchconstruction avoids the necessity of examining the shell ends when it isdesired to assemble the device quickly.

lVhile I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, itis to be understood that many modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims and I desire to haveonly such limitations imposed upon my invention as are necessitated bytie prior art or set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent in the United States, is:

l. A fuse comprising a shell member, a fuse link constituting a fusibleelement having an enlarged end portion of flexible sheet materialinitially curved in shape to reduce its dimensions while being installedin operative position in said shell member but capable of being expandedafter installation to engage the outer periphery of said shell memberthereby serving as a washer member upon being flattened.

2. A fuse comprising a shell member, a fuse link constitutin a fusibleelement, and a terminal member for said fusible elei lent, said terminalmember having an end portion of flexible sheet material curved in ashape permitting its free insertion through said fuse shell memberhaving an opening of a certain diameter, said end portion being ofsuflicient area upon being flattened subse quent to installation in saidshell member to substantially cover an opening of such diameter.

3. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, and a fuse link insaid shell memher, said fuse link having an enlarged flexible endportion of sheet material initially formed in a shape to pass freelythrough said shell and forming when flattened a washer for covering andcontacting with the end of said shell member.

4. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, an end cap on oneend of said shell member, and a fuse link in said shell member, saidfuse link having a flexible end portion of sheet material initiallyformed neiaeea in a shape to pass freely through said shell and formingnormally, when flattened and expanded, a washer exceeding the size ofthe opening in said shell member and being clamped beneath said end cap,which washer serves as a closure for the end of said shell.

5. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, an end cap on oneend of said shell member, and a. fuse link in said shell member, sa dfuse link having a flexible end portion initially formed in a shape topass freely through said shell and forming nor-- mally, when fattened, awasher clamped beneath said end cap, said washer and said end cap beingformed with coaxial passages for venting said shell member.

6. fill enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member ferrules at theends of said SllQll ii-ember, end caps engagin said fer- 1 l fuse linkin said shell memfuse link having an enlarged is end portion initiallyformed in )e to pass freely through said shell 0. forming normally, whenflattened and expanded, a washer exceeding the size of the openin insaid shell member and being clamped between said ferrules and said endcaps.

if. [in enclosed type fuse comprising a shell men'iber, a ferrule at theend of said shell member, a cap member engaging said ferrule, and a fuselink extending through said shell member, said ferrule having an openingfor insertion of said fuse link and said fuse link being provided withan enlarged end forming a washercovering said opening and clampedbetween said cap and said ferrule.

8. An enclosed type fuse comprisin a shell member a ferrule at an end ofsaid shell member and fuse link in said shell memher, said fuse linkhaving an enlarged flexihis end portion initially formed in a shape opass freely through said shell and said errule and forming whenflattened a washer or covering and contacting with a rim of said ferule.

an. enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, a ferrule at an end ofsaid shell member, a fuse link in said shell mem ber, said fuse linkhaving an enlarged flexible end portion initially formed in a shape topass freely through said shell and said ferrule and forming whenflattened a wash er for covering and contacting with a rim of saidferrule and coacting means on said washer and said ferrule forpreventing relative turning movement therebetween.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN G. BUGLE.

